What Are Spot Illustrations?
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Aspiring writers often wonder about the role of illustrations in their book projects, especially in picture books. While illustrations may not be necessary for certain categories of story, especially outside of children’s books, spot illustrations can certainly add depth, nuance, and charm to a manuscript. In this article, I’ll dive into the world of spot illustrations, exploring their storytelling potential, how to indicate them in a manuscript with illustration notes, and other considerations of the process of thinking about illustrations.
What are Spot Illustrations?
Spot illustrations are small, standalone images that are inserted amidst text, usually on a single page or spread. In a picture book, sometimes one or more spot illustrations can take up an entire page or spread. They can depict a specific object, character, scene, or emotion, and can be in color or black-and-white (depending on the overall printing need of the project). Spot illustrations can be used to complement the story, enhance the mood, clarify a point, or simply delight the reader. They can also be used to move the action forward and provide a montage to speed or stop perceived pacing. They are different from full-page illustrations, which span across an entire page or spread. Some books, like early readers and chapter books, are mostly rendered in spot illustrations, while other illustrated projects have none, as the illustrator has selected only full-bleed illustrations.
Indicating Spot Illustrations in a Manuscript
As a writer, you may have certain ideas for spot illustrations that you'd like to see in your book. However, it's important to note that the manuscript phase may be too early to obsess over the exact content of the illustrations, especially if you plan to aim for traditional publication instead of hiring an illustrator. Instead, focus on crafting a clear and compelling story that stands on its own. Indicate potential places where spot illustrations could enhance the manuscript, but leave room for interpretation and collaboration between you and the potential eventual illustrator. Keep in mind that it's ultimately up to the illustrator to decide how many and which spots to illustrate, based on their own artistic vision. You can always use illustration notes to communicate your desires, but know that you will have relatively little input during this part of the process, especially if you’re working with a publishing house rather than self-publishing.
Should You Hire an Illustrator?
If you're an author-illustrator, you may choose to illustrate your own book project, but if not, you'll need to find an illustrator to bring your vision to life. Before you head over to Upwork or Reedsy and put in your credit card, know that you might not need to hire an illustrator just yet. If you’re aiming to work with a literary agent and traditional publisher, the acquiring editor and art director will select the illustrator and pay for their services. There will be an advance and/or royalty offered to both in the publishing contract.
If you’re self-publishing or are convinced that you want to offer some sample illustrations with your manuscript submission (though this is not necessary), you can always hire and pay for someone yourself. This can potentially backfire if the illustrations aren’t high quality or your budget prevents you from finding someone who is competitive.
There are many online resources and directories you can use to search for illustrators, such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)), 99Designs, Fiverr, and Behance. Look for illustrators whose style and experience match your book's genre, tone, and target audience. Be sure to review their portfolio, testimonials, and rates before contacting them for a potential collaboration.
While spot illustrations can certainly enhance a book project, it's important not to get too caught up in their potential. If you're not an author-illustrator, it's best to focus first on writing a strong and engaging story that connects with readers. Once your manuscript is polished and revised, you can indicate opportunities for spot illustrations, and, if you have the budget and bandwidth, work collaboratively with an illustrator to bring your vision to life.
Spot illustrations can add depth, nuance, and charm to a book project, especially in picture books. By understanding their storytelling potential, indicating their opportunities in a manuscript, finding a professional illustrator to collaborate with, and focusing on the story first, you can create a book that both delights and resonates with readers. Remember to stay open to collaboration and be mindful of your book's genre, tone, and target audience.
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